stereoscopic
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TWISTER: goggle-free 3D rotating panoramic display
In a device eerily akin to teleportation machines seen in major motion pictures (seriously, check it after the break), the Telexistence Wide-angle Immersive STEReoscope aims to "immerse viewers in a 3D video environment" sans those pesky goggles. Developed by a team at the University of Toyko, TWISTER is being hailed as the "world's first full-color 360-degree 3D display that does not require viewers to wear special glasses," and it's finally coming together after a decade of work. Within the cylindrical, rotating device, you'll find some 50,000 LEDs that give off the illusion of a three-dimensional object without any ocular aids. Moreover, the team is already looking into the possibility of adding 3D videophone technology to spruce up video telephony, but we'd be totally content with a couple rounds of Halo in this thing.[Via PinkTentacle]
SeeReal demonstrates prototype holographic display
Three-dimensional displays have long been fodder for a good laugh, but Germany's SeeReal is taking a serious approach with its latest holographic prototype. Showing its stuff at the Society for International Display (SID) forum in California, the company has reportedly "developed a new technology for displaying 3D images on a TV set, computer display, or through a projector." The trick is seemingly in the company's proprietary Tracked Viewing Window technology, which "limits pixel size to HDTV levels and in combination with a real-time tracking system, eliminates superfluous elements while reducing the need for real-time processing." The firm's main objective was to remove the inconvenience factor that's typically associated with viewing 3D imagery, and with its unique use of holography, it has reportedly done so. Of course, the outfit is still on the hunt for willing and able partners to kick out products to the commercial world, but according to the CEO, it already has "a number of promising contacts in that regard."[Via PCLaunches]
neuroArm gives surgeons extra dexterity, sense of touch
Considering that a BSOD within the robotic surgeon that's halfway through a critical operation on your innards is far from ideal, we're certainly in agreement with companies looking to make actual human doctors even better at their work. A team of Canadian scientists and engineers have concocted the neuroArm robot to allow doctors to perform microscopic operations on the brain in a more precise manner. Essentially, the uber-steady bot "will let doctors use surgical techniques on afflictions such as brain tumors that human surgeons are simply not dexterous enough to do," and when combined with a touchscreen stereoscopic viewer, it enables MDs to better visualize the area they're working with through advanced depth perception and "3D-like" imagery. The neuroArm system should hit clinical testing sometime within the next month or so, and if all goes smoothly (ahem), the long-term goal involves "manufacturing different versions" and selling them to a variety of hospitals.
Pavonine showcases 24-inch MIRACUBE stereoscopic LCD monitor
While not quite as flashy as IO2's floating M3 Heliodisplay, Pavonine's forthcoming 24-incher still manages to put an interesting twist on your average computer LCD. Aside from touting a respectable 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, front-panel controls, and a DVI input, the MIRACUBE monitor boasts stereoscopic abilities most commonly associated with those gaudy head-mounted displays and cheap 3D gimmicks. The screen can only muster 1,920 x 600 resolution while displaying in the third-dimension, and requires (a presumably bundled) pair of glasses in order to experience the full effect. No word just yet on how much Pavonine plans on charging for the G240S once it departs the CeBIT floor, but we'd probably wait for a hands-on review before plunking down for such hit-and-miss technology.
22Moo expands its awkward lineup of head mounted displays
Although we Americans tend to scoff at anything labeled 3D, stereoscopic, or wearable display, apparently the Aussies (or somebody) think these things are pretty inspiring. Expanding its (astoundingly) growing list of head mounted displays, 22Moo is offering two more (likely rebadged) units to literally gander at, and is going all out with its marketing ploys to connect these gaudy headpieces to some of the trendiest products out. The lightweight i-Vision 230 comes in white (surprised?), red, and silver color schemes, features a "virtual display" of 35-inches from 2-meters away, rocks a 320 x 240 resolution LCD, and plays nice with your "video iPod, Zune, Wii, and Xbox 360" (not to mention basically any other vanilla video source). The beefed-up Argo+PC adds "PlayStation 3 and set-top box" compatibility, features twin 640 x 480 resolution LCDs, a detachable light shield, stereo headphones, and generates a virtual image of 43-inches. Additionally, this set can reproduce "3D stereoscopic images" if used with a "compatible video card." Both eyewear devices are currently available for those interested, and while the i-Vision 230 will run you $250, the presumably Star Trek-approved Argo+PC (pictured after the break) will demand $350.
Samsung shows off stereoscopic phone
What, did you think Samsung was just going to call it a day after showing their lil' stereoscopic AMOLEDs a few months back? Heck no, we all knew those things were going to find their way into prototype handsets with all due haste. Sure enough, the Korean manufacturer chose the home-turf Korea Electronics Show to unveil a swiveling clamshell sporting a 320 x 320 example of their 3D tech. Samsung itself is the first to point out that it thinks it can succeed with mobile 3D where others have failed (read: NTT DoCoMo), thanks to the unusually high resolution (and diminutive size) of its new display and a commitment to creating content. If everything goes as planned up in those R&D labs, look for AMOLED-based handsets to hit the market come the second half of 2007.
